CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Los Angeles – The Visual Effects Society is pleased to announce that it is now accepting submissions for its annual VES Student Award, presented by Autodesk, Inc., a world leader in entertainment creation software. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2012. The winning student will receive the award live at the 11th Annual VES Awards Show, to be held on February 5, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

The Student Award recognizes outstanding achievement in visual effects on any project that was created by a student or group of students while attending an accredited school. Qualified students at schools from all over the world are encouraged to send their submissions before the November 30, 2012 deadline. The winning student will be provided with free airfare from anywhere around the world, two nights’ accommodation to attend the show, and: one license of either the Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite Premium or the Autodesk 3ds Max Entertainment Creation Suite 3D visual effects software, at no cost (both Suites include Autodesk Softimage, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk Mudbox and Autodesk SketchBook Designer). Rules and Procedures can be found at http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards.

“We are so pleased to once again be partnering with Autodesk on the Student Award, because this is the single outstanding opportunity for students to show the pros what they can do, and more importantly, for the pros to see the amazing talent of the artists coming up!” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the VES. “It’s an opportunity that no VFX student should miss.”

“Autodesk supports this pioneering award every year to help the next generation of filmmakers. Inspiring these young artists in their pursuit of careers in visual effects is an important part of our commitment to not only the student community but the greater visual effects community as well,” said Marc Petit, senior VP, Media & Entertainment at Autodesk.

The annual VES Awards show honors the most outstanding visual effects in film, television, animation, commercials, special venue projects and video games. Last year’s event attracted more than 1,000 visual effects artists and celebrities as the VES honored Stan Lee with its Lifetime Achievement Award and Douglas Trumbull with the Melies Award.

About the VES

VES is a professional, honorary society dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences and applications of visual effects and to upholding the highest uniform standards and procedures for the visual effects profession. It is the entertainment industry's only official organization representing the extended community of visual effects practitioners, including supervisors, artists, producers, technology developers, educators and studio executives. VES’s more than 2,500 global members contribute to all areas of entertainment – film, television, commercials, music videos, games and new media. VES strives to enrich and educate its members and the entertainment community at-large through many domestic and international events, screenings and programs.

About Autodesk Education Initiatives

Autodesk supports students and educators by providing design software, innovative programs and other resources designed to inspire the next generation of professionals. By supporting educators to advance design education and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, Autodesk is helping prepare students for future academic and career success. Autodesk supports schools and institutions of higher learning worldwide through substantial discounts, subscriptions, grant programs, training, curriculum development and community resources. For more information about Autodesk education programs and solutions, visit http://www.autodesk.com/education.